The recent years have brought a notable trend where more and more watch manufacturers present their products with the use of new peculiar and modern materials. Exactly this kind of fashion is visible in novel Dark Shadows watch by De Bethune, the watchmaker known for their uncommon and innovative designs. New DB28 Dark Shadows, ominously named for its black appearance, is made out of zirconium which was possible thanks to the innovative method of the treatment of the material. Another significant value of the newcomer which will be premiered at the upcoming Baselworld 2014 show is the fact that De Bethune opted to make a zirconium version of its DB28 model. It is a high-end timekeeper whose quality can be best demonstrated with the fact that it was the winner of the best watch award at the Grand Prix de l’Horlogerie de Geneve two years ago.

De Bethune DB28 Dark Shadow Watch Dial

The Second DB28 Novelty of the Year

De Betune is the brand which is renowned not only for their quality and valuable watches, but also for introducing new creative solutions in the world of watches. Two of the latest examples of such philosophy implemented in the work of the brand led by Dennis Flagoellet and David Zanetta (namely Dream Watch 5 and DB28 Digitale) were recently unveiled at the first major horological event in the calendar – the SIHH show. One of the pieces in the peculiar duo of new watches (which interestingly share the same type of caliber) is from the same series like the piece we are now previewing. Unlike those watches that were presented in the late January, DB28 Dark Shadow will first see the light of day at the most important watchmaking event of the year in Basel which is scheduled for the end of the March and the beginning of April.

Hard and Light

As it has been said, the watch is a prized model which will be released in an entirely new and original package. De Bethune decided to craft the new watch from sandblasted and oxidized zirconium. The material was used to create the case, as well as the floating lugs of the timekeeper. To make this happen, the Genevese watchmaker had to come up with a new process which would enable the machining of the transitional metal. The advantages of zirconium lay in its natural characteristics, since it is very durable and resilient, despite its notable lightness. The oxidization treatment to which the material has been subjected to not only gives it the dashing black shade that gave the watch its poetic name, but also increases the resilience and hardness of the metal even further. It should also be said that the round case of the watch has the diameter of 42.6 mm. Its rear side is from solid metal, with the exception of the scale that is used to display the remainder of its massive power reserve.

De Bethune DB28 Dark Shadow Watch

Hand-Wound Caliber with Five Patents and a Six-Day Power Storage

Even if we disregard the unorthodox built of the watch’s case, we are left with a fantastic timekeeper, as it has been proven with the accolade that the watch received two years ago. In its essence is DB2155 movement which includes a frontally placed large delta-shaped bridge, as it is common for De Bethune products. The caliber in question implements no less than five of the brand’s patents and is distinguished in its technical features, its complexity, as well as in its beauty. It is a hand-wound mechanical movement with 36 jewels and 283 components in total. It possesses a balance made of silicon and white gold, as well as a balance spring with terminal curve.

Silicon is once again used for the escape-wheel. When it comes to the frequency of its regulating organ, it measures to 4 Hz (28,800 vph). The integrity and stable functioning of the movement when faced with shocks and bumps is guaranteed with the inclusion of a triple para-chute system. On the other hand, its massive power storage of six days has a self-regulating twin barrel as its basis. The final of the innovations that are used in the construction of DB2155 is the recognizable spherical moon phase indication which can be seen at the bottom of the watch’s skeletonized face. As far as decorations of the movement are concerned, they are manually performed and include snailing for the base-plate, as well as polishing and chamfering for the steel components. More details about the timepiece, including its price, will be known after the scheduled premiere at the Baselworld 2014 show.